Asphalt Composition Using Cross-Linked LCDR for Low-Temperature Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modified asphalts face issues with low-temperature properties, post-aging properties, storage stability, and workability due to increased volatility and viscosity when using polymer modifying agents, leading to cracking and degraded storage stability.

Innovation Solution

An asphalt composition combining a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene block copolymer with a low-molecular weight conjugated diene rubber (LCDR), where the LCDR is cross-linked by sulfur to enhance dispersion and stability, improving low-temperature properties and workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the content of modifying agent or the molecular weight of polymer is increased to improve physical properties, then low-temperature properties are improved, but storage stability degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature propertiesVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the molecular weight of the conjugated diene polymer (70,000-500,000 g/mol) and the sulfur content (0.01-5 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer). This optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the precise parameter range where low-temperature properties are improved while storage stability is maintained, avoiding the degradation that occurs with higher polymer molecular weights or sulfur contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene block copolymer with low-molecular weight conjugated diene rubber and sulfur. This composite approach allows the system to achieve improved low-temperature properties through the polymer modification while the specific molecular weight control and sulfur cross-linking prevent storage stability degradation, effectively resolving the contradiction between temperature performance and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If the content of modifying agent is increased to improve physical properties, then low-temperature properties are improved, but the modified asphalt becomes more volatile causing cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature propertiesVSAvoidvolatility resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the molecular weight of the conjugated diene polymer to be within 70,000-500,000 g/mol and controlling sulfur content at 0.01-5 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer. This precise parameter control reduces volatility and prevents cracking while maintaining improved low-temperature properties, resolving the contradiction between temperature performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sulfur as an intermediary that cross-links the conjugated diene polymer chains. This cross-linking action reduces the volatility of the modified asphalt without compromising the low-temperature properties achieved by the polymer modification, thereby preventing cracking and resolving the contradiction between temperature performance and volatility resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a polymer modifying agent is used to improve physical properties, then low-temperature properties are improved, but viscosity increases reducing workability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature propertiesVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight of the conjugated diene polymer within 70,000-500,000 g/mol and optimizing the sulfur content at 0.01-5 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer. This parameter optimization achieves improved low-temperature properties while minimizing viscosity increase, thereby maintaining workability and resolving the contradiction between temperature performance and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If the molecular weight of polymer is increased to improve physical properties, then low-temperature properties are improved, but mixing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature propertiesVSAvoidmixing properties
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molecular weight of the conjugated diene polymer to be within 70,000-500,000 g/mol and optimizing sulfur content at 0.01-5 parts by weight per 100 parts of polymer. This parameter control improves low-temperature properties while maintaining adequate mixing properties, resolving the contradiction between temperature performance and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The asphalt composition significantly enhances low-temperature properties, post-aging properties, and storage stability, maintaining balance between high- and low-temperature performance while improving workability and solubility.

Implementation Method 1

the LCDR is cross-linked by sulfur to enhance dispersion and stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3018171B1Asphalt composition comprising an asphalt modifier having improved mixing properties
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an asphalt modifying agent and an asphalt composition containing the same. More specifically, disclosed are an asphalt modifying agent comprising a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene block copolymer and a low-molecular weight conjugated diene rubber (LCDR), and an asphalt composition containing the same. Advantageously, the present invention provides an asphalt modifying agent for greatly improving low-temperature properties and modification workability of a modified asphalt and an asphalt composition containing the same.